Herbst

Heute ist ein wunderschöner Herbsttag in Vancouver, leider soll es ab morgen regnen.

Vancouver

We are both in Vancouver, the boat is tucked away for the winter. We keep busy visiting friends and preparing for our travels, still rather complicated. I also have a couple of business meetings, but took two hours off this morning to enjoy the nice weather and walk around Stanley Park.

End of season

I took the boat into Montague Harbour yesterday to start packing up for the end of the season. Today was beautiful and sunny, so I went for lunch to the restaurant at the marina here. It is their last day of the season too. Tomorrow I plan to go into Sidney where Ancient Murrelet will spend the winter. I spent 102 days on the boat this year, the weather was great and we got to see lots of friends and some family. Hopefully next year travel will be back to normal.

Vancouver

We all returned to Vancouver and had a some great days with Andrea here. She has now returned to the UK. The weather is still quite nice, but there is a sense of fall.

Wallace Island

We came to Wallace Island today and hiked 13 km (all the trails on the island). The weather is sunny and warm. Andrea swam around the boat twice, Sheila and I did not as the water temperature is only 15 degrees here.

http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=48.941947&lon=-123.554242

Hastings House in Ganges on Saltspring Island

Yesterday we went to Galiano Island and visited Sheila’s cousin and the art exhibition of her husband, followed by dinner in the Galiano Inn. Today we returned to Ganges to celebrate Andrea’s birthday with dinner in Hastings House. Sheila and Andrea already enjoyed a massage in their spa, our birthday present.

Winter Cove

We enjoyed walking on Sidney Island but came back to North Pender Island for lunch in Hope Bay today. This evening we are in Winter Cove on Saturna Island and Andrea took the Hobie for a spin (she didn’t want to go swimming).

http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=48.810992&lon=-123.195172

Sidney Spit

We hiked up Reginald mountain this morning and then came to Sidney Spit. After a nice walk, Andrea went for a brief swim, the water here is only 16 degrees, so we refrained.

Pender, Russell and Saltspring Islands

Today we took a three island tour with Andrea. First we stopped at Otter Bay on North Pender. Just as we anchored, a group of orcas swam by. We then hiked 9 km up a mountain (280m above sea level, but steep incline) and around Roe Lake (picture). Then we stopped at Russell Island to pick some fruit for our crumble tonight. For the night we are anchored in Fulford Harbour.

http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=48.767173&lon=-123.455533